Faster Deck-Board-Removal Tools

Any one of these specialty deck-board removal tools makes demolishing a deck easier.

Tool Tech host Patrick McCombe shows off three different deck-board removal tools: the Duckbill Deck Wrecker, the Gutster Demo Bar, and the GreenTek Demo-Dek. The hard way to remove deck boards is with a crowbar and a hammer, but the right way to do it is with one of these tools. The Duckbill Deck Wrecker allows you to pop up the boards using a lever by straddling the joist. You can also work close to the house with this tool by rotating the head so the handle is pointing away from the house. The Gutster Demo Bar also straddles the joist and has lever action, in addition to a set of wheels that make it easier to remove strip flooring and flooring underlayments. It also has set of nail pullers on the back of the head to pull out straggler nails. The GreenTek Demo-Dek, unlike the other tools, grabs the dek board rather than straddling the joist, and according to the manufacturer, pulls out deck boards much easier than leverage tools. There is also a nail puller on the end for straggler nails, and the tool is made from laminated bamboo. All these tools make it easy to remove deck boards for replacement or complete deck removal. Check out the video to learn more.

Duckbill Deck Wrecker Price: $75

Gutster Demo Bar Price: $100 (48-in.); $110 (60-in.)

GreenTek Demo-Dek Price: $120

Senior editor Patrick McCombe has been testing power tools on behalf of national publications for more than 15 years, and he regularly meets with product manufacturers to try out new introductions. In the Tool Tech series, Patrick reviews the latest tools and materials, discusses building technology, and shows time-tested techniques for better, more-efficient home building. Consider becoming an online member to watch other Tool Tech videos.e building.

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

View Comments

I'm a new subscriber so maybe this is normal. It would have been nice to actually see these different tools in action. This felt more like a sales pitch for the green one without actually demonstrating why it was any better.

Amen to the other comments. Show us the bars in use! I can see the color and price on line. What I expected here is a) some clue on how much effort each one involves, b) how much travel does the end of the bar need if you are working in tight spaces, c) what shape is the the removed plank and the surrounding wood in after using one of these (or are they only appropriate for a complete demo?), and d) especially for deck screws, how much damage is done to the support joists!

I've used a couple of these but the best by far IMO is the Crescent Indexing Decking Removal Tool.
No one wants to use any other took on deck demo, and yep it pulls screws right out too (or they pull through if wood rotted). It's also done several residential demos for me and is going strong. The indexing lets you adjust to perfect angle for each job or circumstance, such as pulling plaster overhead, or off walls or deckboards.
5 stars! http://www.crescenttool.com/crescent-dkb44x-bull-bar-44-indexing-decking-removal-tool.html